The Experience Buddy [Completed]

Chapter 5

Hero and I met up with the rest at the cabin that we have rented in South Lake Tahoe, near El Dorado beach. It was the most beautiful sight that I have ever seen. The night sky was filled with stars that reflected in the sea, making its water glisten like tiny diamonds.

Then again, I might be easily impressed because I was like a frog living in a well. I haven't had the chance to see many sights like this.

"You are here!" Nat exclaimed as she skipped towards me and pulled me into a hug.

Toby and Hugh were setting up the fire for the barbecue while Cheryl was skewering the meat and vegetables to make kebabs. Nat let go of me to rejoin Cheryl at the table to prepare the food. Hero went to join the guys while I went inside the cabin to put down my bag and joined the girls after.

The atmosphere was great and the food was delicious. Surprisingly, Toby was very good at grilling food over charcoal fire. The company was the best company one could ever ask for and the scenery was just marvellous. Once we were done eating, it was time for some dessert! Cheryl took out a bag of white marshmallows from the plastic bag on the bench and everyone skewered their own marshmallows on a wooden stick. We surrounded the pit, trying to roast our fluffy white goodness.

Cheryl suggested playing truth or dare while we are waiting for the marshmallows to roast to perfection. Everyone agreed so we spun an empty bottle to decide who should go first.

"Hugh!" Cheryl cheered as the tip of the bottle pointed at Hugh when it stopped.

"Truth or dare?" Nat asked.

"A real man always goes with-" He paused and took a quick glance at all of us. "The truth!"

Hugh burst into laughter while the others jeered at his choice. I couldn't help but laugh, thinking that was actually quite funny.

"Fine. Did you or did you not have sex with Patricia Johnson?" Cheryl asked.

"Who is...Oh! The hot blonde who is from...what is it...the softball club?" Hugh scratched his head. "Yeah."

"Ewww." Cheryl made a face of disgust.

"What? She's hot." Hugh retorted.

"I heard she's got STDs." Nat replied. Hugh's face suddenly looked worried. Cheryl and Nat shot glances at each other and burst out laughing.

"Next!" Cheryl called as she spun the bottle.

"Little miss scholar!" Hugh clapped.

"Truth or dare, Ems?" Nat asked.

"Uhm...dare?" I answered timidly.

"We'll cut you some slack." Cheryl grinned. "Choose one of the three guys to eat this pocky stick with and you can only have 1cm left."

My eyes widened in surprise as I took in a deep breath. I could feel the pace of my heartbeat increasing. After some thought, I chose Toby. We both bit on opposite ends of the pocky stick that Cheryl was holding and once she let go, neither of us moved.

"Be a man! Make the first move, Toby!" Hugh urged from the side.

Surprisingly, Toby didn't just inch forward but he bit away half the stick. Onlookers, minus Hero, were getting very excited as they cheered. I could feel my cheeks become flushed when Toby's face got closer to mine. I have never had my face so close to a guy's face before, other than my father. It was awkward to look straight into his eyes so I instinctively shut mine. Big mistake. I bit the pocky stick inch by inch and because I had my eyes closed, I couldn't see how much of the pocky stick was left. I gasped when I felt my lips brushed lightly against Toby's.